Guelph Study on Echinacea in horses

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Hi All,

 

See: http://www.nutraceuticalalliance.com/rs2.htm

 

The Echinacea Study Echinacea in equine immune function

 

W. O'Neill, S. McKee, and A. F. Clarke Nutraceutical Alliance Inc, Equine

Research Centre, 50 McGilvray St. Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1 CANADA

 

Previous research on Echinacea has demonstrated that the plant stimulates

the activity of neutrophils, and increases the production of lymphocytes and

various other immune system parameters. However, to date there has been no

English-language trials investigating if these results are observable in horses.

Despite this gap in the literature, many people feed Echinacea to their horses,

without any evidence as to the true benefit of the product. This project was

conducted to generate some unique, scientific data on the usefulness of

Echinacea in stimulating the immune system of the horse.

 

Experimental Procedure This study used an aqueous extract of Echinacea

angustifolia (Echi-Fend, produced by Bioniche Life Sciences) prepared from

powdered root that was standardised to 4% echinacoside (a marker of plant

maturity and potency). The trial involved eight horses, each of which had 42

days on Echi-Fend, and 42 days on an inactive placebo. This way, each horse

could be compared with itself when assessing the overall activity of the

treatment. Blood samples were taken every 7 days, and were subjected to a

complete haematology and biochemistry screen, and a phagocytic function

test. The haematology characterised the effect of Echi-Fend on the oxygen-

transport cells (red blood cells) and the immune cells (white blood cells). The

biochemistry screens were useful in identifying any other effects of the

treatment, while the phagocytic function test quantified the ability of isolated

neutrophils to consume foreign particles (yeast).

 

Results There was a significant increase in the number and size of red blood

cells, and a significant increase in the level of haemoglobin (the molecule

responsible for transporting oxygen) in the blood. This effect of Echinacea has

not been investigated in previous studies, and may of particular interest to

those involved with performance horses. Echinacea induced a significant

increase in the number of lymphocytes in blood. Lymphocytes are involved with

the antigen-associated immune response, and may improve the horse’s

defence against pathogens to which the immune system has had previous

exposure. This result demonstrates that horses behave similarly to laboratory

mice by increasing the production of lymphocytes, and liberating them into the

circulation. There was a significant decrease in the levels of circulating

neutrophils in the blood. This result was also expected, and reflects increased

recruitment of neutrophils out of the blood and into tissues where they are

primed for targeting opportunistic infectious organisms. Neutrophils isolated

from the blood of horses receiving Echinacea were able to consume

significantly more yeast particles than those taken from horses receiving

placebo. The application of this result reflects an increased ability of the

neutrophils to consume foreign particles in the horses’ tissues, and results in

improved defence against pathogens.

 

Conclusions It was found that Echi-Fend behaves as an effective haematinic

agent, and the extract was an efficient immunomodulator. The results of this

trial provide unique scientific rationale for feeding Echinacea to horses to

provide improved immune function and overall blood quality.

 

Acknowledgements Our sincere gratitude is extended to the owners of Jenny,

Gracie, and Sanna who allowed their equine friends to join our research team.

Also, our thanks are owed to Vetrepharm Animal Health, Bioniche Life

Sciences, Stonehedge Phytomedicinals, andthe Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,

Food and Rural Affairs for their generous sponsorship of this project.

 

 

 

Best regards,

 

 

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